React Hook: useIsUSTerritory() for Better Checkout Flows
Puerto Rico is home to 3.2 million US citizens who face unique challenges when shopping online. This article explores react hook: useisusterritory() for better checkout flows.
The Core Problem
Despite being a US territory, Puerto Rico gets treated as a second-class shipping destination by most carriers and retailers. UPS and FedEx add $4-12 in surcharges per package. Over 40 major retailers either block or restrict PR shipping entirely.
The Impact
- $1,000+/year in extra shipping costs per household
- 30-40% of Amazon's catalog unavailable
- 7-14 day delivery vs 2-3 days mainland
- Limited returns from PR addresses
Solutions
- Use USPS — cheapest carrier for PR with no surcharges
- Package forwarding — PackagePR provides mainland addresses and consolidates shipments
- Smart shopping — stick to PR-friendly retailers like Nordstrom and Zappos
The Bigger Picture
The Jones Act of 1920 creates an artificial shipping monopoly. Until it's reformed, services like PackagePR bridge the gap.
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